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Day 5: Exploring new territories
The previous day I had befriended two wildlife and
photography enthusiasts and decided to join them in a gypsy safari to Qual ji
(Zone 9). Qual ji was about 45 kms away from the main gates of the Ranthambore
national park. We had to set out very early in the morning at around 5.15 am so
that we could start the safari by 6.30 am.
The hour-long ride in the extremely
cold and dark morning was an experience in itself.
Sunrise (Qualji Zone 9), Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India |
| Sunrise at Qual ji |
We entered the zone at 6.30 am just as the sun rose. We were
very hopeful and optimistic as there had been good tiger sightings in this zone
in the month of February. The zone was very barren with very few animals. We
managed to get some good shots of the sunrise and the landscape from the top of
the hill.
Sunrise (Qualji Zone 9), Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India |
| Sunrise |
Soon we heard an alarm call of a sambar deer.
All of us froze and started scanning the surrounding landscape with our searching eyes. But we were out of luck. The tiger did not turn up and after some time we continued the safari.
We saw some Bulbuls, Mynahs, Patridges and Sambar deer.
All of us froze and started scanning the surrounding landscape with our searching eyes. But we were out of luck. The tiger did not turn up and after some time we continued the safari.
We saw some Bulbuls, Mynahs, Patridges and Sambar deer.
Atleast something was better than nothing.
After making the sparrow’s day special, we returned back to Ranthambore.
We saw some tiger pugmarks as well as sloth bear prints in
the dust. But our wait and tracking was in vain. It was meant to be a
disastrous safari to say the least. Within a short time it was time to return
to the gates. As we were leaving, we saw some spotted deer.
Lastly, we spent
some time photographing a sparrow.
Sambar Deer Stag, Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India |
| Male Sambar Deer (Stag) |
When the big mammals and birds are scarce, even the humble
sparrow can end up with a lot of attention. This particular sparrow must have
been thrilled to bits, maybe, even moved to tears with all the attention it was
receiving. Canons and Nikons with telephoto lenses zooming on it must have been
a once-in-a-lifetime experience for this sparrow.
The rural countryside with hills, fields, lakes and locals in their colourful
attire was a pleasant sight and made the return trip enjoyable.
Obviously, there was no bragging during lunch. I geared up for my last safari of this trip.
Will it turn out to be spectacular or unspectacularly uneventful?
I showered all my attention on a squirrel. I clicked away to
glory and the squirrel granted me with some very good poses. After a lot of
wandering in vain we came to the end of the safari.
I hope you enjoyed reading the posts. Do come back for more.
Obviously, there was no bragging during lunch. I geared up for my last safari of this trip.
Spotted Deer fawn (Bambi), Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India |
| Crowd favourite - BambiC |
Afternoon shift
The afternoon safari was on a canter and we entered the park
around 3 pm. There were a lot of spotted deer, peacocks and Sambhar deer along
the way. We sighted many birds including the red-wattled lapwing, crested serpent
eagle, tree-pies and jungle babblers.
But the absence of alarm calls or
pugmarks meant, there would be no tiger-sighting in my last safari.
Spotted Deer family, Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India |
| Picture perfect in the forest - Spotted Deer |
Spotted Deer Males Head-butting, Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India |
| Head-to-Head - Spotted Deer |
Today was the day of the sparrow and the squirrel.
As we exited the gates, I looked back and promised
myself ‘I’ll be back’ (Terminator
style).
Squirrel, Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India |
| Stripes of a different kind - Squirrel |
Ranthambore Mountainscape, Rajasthan, India |
| Ranthambore Mountainscape |
Ranthambore Landscape, Rajasthan, India |
| Ranthambore Landscape |
Sunset, Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India |
| Hasta La Vista Ranthambore Sun sets, signalling the end of the trip |
Later in the evening, as I waited at the station for my train
back to Mumbai, my mind recalled the memories of the last few days. It had been
a wonderful trip with a lot of good memories.
I return to Mumbai satisfied and
contented with the trip.
As I boarded the train I could not help but say ‘Hasta
La Vista Ranthambore’.
Writing this blog has brought back wonderful memories of my
first trip to Ranthambore and I might be tempted to write about that
experience soon.
I hope you enjoyed reading the posts. Do come back for more.
Fantastic blog, I want to visit Ranthambore in November this year, your blog has made me wish it was November already. Amazing stories, amazing photographs. You're very lucky - I hope we're as lucky as you were!
ReplyDeleteVikki :)
This winter planing to spend my weekends at bandipur resorts hope il have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteReally Awesome post for Ranthambore Tiger Safari tour nice post....
ReplyDelete